Private Harold O Cooling

Harold Oliver Cooling was the son of Oliver Harry and Ellen Margaret Cooling of Brislington Bristol.

He joined The Somerset Light Infantry (SLI) during World War II and was probably serving with the 10th Battalion SLI, when it was turned over to airborne duties in November 1942, to become the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion.

Pte Cooling qualified as a military parachutist on course 42 which ran at RAF Ringway from 14 to 23 December 1942, and later parachuted into Normandy in June 1944.

The role of the battalion was to hold the bridges over the River Orne and Canal de Caen, which had initially been seized by a company and two platoons of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry led by Major John Howard.

The 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion and the men from the Ox and Bucks held the bridges for nearly twenty two hours, despite eight separate enemy attacks during this period, until relieved by seaborne troops.

He was killed later in the month by enemy shellfire while the battalion occupied positions South East of Le Mesnil.

Pte Cooling died on 21 June 1944, aged 21 years, and is now buried at La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, Calvados, France.

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.